DINNER TONIGHT! QUICK ENTREES FOR WEEKDAY DINING

Simple beans and rice dish delivers a taste of Costa Rica

May 18, 2005|By Robin Mather Jenkins, Tribune staff reporter

All around the Caribbean, black beans and rice make savory, simple suppers. This version, called gallo pinto, or "spotted rooster," in Costa Rica, is one of that country's national dishes; it appears at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Costa Ricans would use a terrific savory condiment called Salsa Lizano instead of the steak sauce we suggest here; made with carrots, onions, cauliflower and cucumber, it's very flavorful but not spicy. It's available at La Unica, a Latin American market at 1515 W. Devon Ave. in Rogers Park. But don't wait until you stock up to try this dish; the steak sauce is a worthy substitute. We tried it with Salsa Lizano and with steak sauce; most tasters preferred the Salsa Lizano, but thought the steak sauce worked fine.

Wine tip

Try a light red wine with the beans and rice. A softer zinfandel or a pinot noir would work well.